Developing an aversion to pink: my life with breast cancer

Post Op Surgical Review

I can hardly believe it has been eight weeks since my last surgery. But it has. Eight whole weeks. It seems a lot longer because I am so well and have recovered so much faster than I have done from any other surgical procedure I have ever had. Getting to grips with my dressing problems no doubt helped but I think knowing that this was the last big thing to happen was a major psychological boost. Having had a total of 1.450kg removed from my chest has probably helped too (1kg at mastectomy, 450g at reduction).

Anyway, today I got to see Surgical Spice for what may be the last time. But more of that later. Given that we are no longer land based, it involved a boat trip back to central Birmingham and then for the first time ever I walked to my appointment. This was actually rather fun thanks to brilliant sunshine. My Foob (fake boob) is looking excellent. It has healed well and no longer twitches quite so alarmingly. It still has the potential for a bit of tit twitching but it is not something I am practising and Surgical Spice is not keen to re-operate on that bit. Which is good as I am less than keen to subject myself to yet more surgery unless absolutely necessary. My Much Reduced But Still Real Boob is also healing well, although the scars are not what they should be yet. I have been instructed to be more vigorous in massaging both the scars and the breast in general as there appears to be some fat necrosis internally. This is not as alarming as it sounds and will settle down. The symmetry is excellent and all things considered everything looks very good. My histology results were also fine and given that I had totally forgotten about them were clearly something I was not worrying about.

The next stage is for nipple reconstruction and this is where things got a little complicated. My hospital is going through some major reorganisation and my lovely consultant will no longer be working there from June. This is a sad loss for the hospital and the service as the skills she brings will no longer be available to this NHS Trust. She is the only surgeon able to perform certain procedures like the DIEP flap reconstruction which was my reason for being referred there in the first place. I will not be recovered sufficiently for my new nipple to be formed before she leaves which leaves me with two options. One, have whoever replaces her at my treating hospital; or two, aim for the NHS Choose & Book service which may allow me to continue to be seen by her even though she will no longer be working within the NHS. I am inclined to continue under her care if possible given that she knows my history and I am so nearly through my treatment so will aim for that option. Once this is done, I get to explore the world of tattoos!

Once again, this appointment was rounded off with a trip to the medical imaging department as topless photos are now a standard part of my visits. I would quite like a complete set to see the changes but suspect this is not possible!